BJ Penn to face Ricardo Lamas on October 15 at UFC Philippines

Former UFC champion BJ Penn is back. The BJJ black belt will face Ricardo Lamas in the featherweight division at the main event of UFC Fight Night 97. The fight will take place on October 15 in Manila, Philippines. This will be the second time the UFC will hold an event in the country.

BJ Penn took a six-month suspension after admitting to using an IV. His suspension ends on 25 September. Penn hasn’t fought since his loss to Frankie Edgar in 2014, when he announced his retirement. He would return to fight against Dennis Siver, and then Cole Miller, but eventually was caught in doping and suspended by the USADA.

Penn hasn’t won a fight since 2010 and has three straight defeats. His opponent, Ricardo Lamas (16-5), is a former featherweight contender. Since the loss to José Aldo he won three fights and lost two. He comes off a loss to Max Holloway at UFC 199 by unanimous decision.